About 70 people have already signed up, and organizers expect about 100 participants.

The winner will earn a guaranteed audition in front of producers at the “American Idol” auditions Aug. 27 in New Orleans.

Contestants must be ages 15-28 and must register online — under the “Auditions” tab at www.watchfox29.com.

“The goal is to find a local Idol, to find someone that can represent us in January,” station promotions director Sofia Simancas
said. “It would be fun to have another Joshua Ledet or Michael Sarver to cheer on and feel proud of.”

Contestants will be asked to sing a capella for 30 seconds. Judges will fill out a score sheet for each singer and compare
the scores at the end of the competition.

Simancas said the judges this year will give feedback to each contestant, offering them practical advice or encouragement.
“They want them to get something out of it, even if they don’t make it,” she said.

Three finalists will be chosen to sing again at the end, and one winner will be chosen from the three. KVHP will film the
final three performances.

The three judges will be Michael Sarver, Matthew Moss and Dominique Meyer.

Sarver, a Sulphur native, made it to
the top 10 in season eight and went on tour with the other finalists. He
released his
first album in 2010 and will release his second in October. Moss
moved to Louisiana from Houston and began a career in music
in 1997. His music has been used on numerous TV shows, such as
“The Voice” and “Duck Dynasty.”

Meyer, lead singer of the Flamethrowers, is a native of Lake Charles. She said she has a special interest in promoting area
musical talent and is flattered to be a part of the event.

“I love being a part of the local music scene,” Meyer said. “To give somebody the opportunity to be able to perform in front
of others, to chase their passion, that’s the biggest take-away.”